جو  بندہ ترا تابع فرمان رہےگا

That slave that will be obedient to Allah Ta'ala

We are required to be obedient to Allah Ta'ala and that is the actual thing. Many a times, we don’t enjoy our Ibaadat, actually Ibaadat is not really for enjoyment but it is to be carried out. Deriving enjoyment in the Ibaadat is a side issue, the actual object is to make the Ibaadat of Allah Ta'ala. In a like manner, every person has the desire to see Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam in one’s dream and indeed it is a great honour. However, Abu Lahab had seen Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam with his very eyes whilst Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam was alive yet it was of no avail. The actual thing is following the Shariat and Sunnat. What to say about that servant that is obedient to Allah Ta’ala, it doesn’t really matter if he gets enjoyment in his Ibaadat or not, whether he is praised by people or not. In simple terms we should do whatever we are commanded to do. 

جو غیر حق پہ قلب سے قربان رہے گا                             انسان کی صورت میں وہ شیطان رہے گا

That person that will sacrifice his heart for things besides Allah Ta’ala, in the form of a human being he will remain Shaytaan.

There are two types of people, one is a person whose lifestyle is incorrect, not that he has erred or committed a mistake whilst the other has committed an error genuinely which happens once in a while. For example, a person is driving on the right side of the road, but then he shot the red robot or he overtook at an incorrect place then he has erred. The other type of person is he who does everything incorrectly all the time. The person referred to in the couplet refers to one that is doing everything incorrectly, he doesn’t want to turn to Allah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam in the least bit, neither does he repent, neither does he even feel guilty for his sinful life, such a person is a Shaytaan in the form of a Human being.

ممکن نہیں کہ قلب میں وہ چین پاسکے                            جب تک کہ کوئی عامل عصیان  رہے گا

It is not possible that he will find peace in his heart, as long as one remains engaged in the disobedience of Allah Ta’ala

The disbelievers have all the comfort of Dunya yet the highest rate of suicide are amongst them. They amuse themselves with the little things of Dunya. They are concerned of their nails, hairstyles, hair, etc. which are the little things of life as a result of being deprived of peace of mind and contentment, whilst a person with peace of mind is never concerned of these things. A man that is deprived of enjoyment has to listen to music, look for entertainment, etc. A man that is deprived of Allah Ta’ala’s company has to search for company, whilst a man that has found Allah Ta'ala avoids others as he acquires enjoyment in Zikrullah, Tilaawat, reciting Munaajaat-e-Maqbool, etc.     

Hadrat explains that the hearts find consolement by the Zikr of Allah Ta'ala. This can be understood from an example, a fish in water finds peace and comfort and the moment it is removed it is uneasy. The first poem that Hadrat had composed whilst he was a young boy,

When I am not in thoughts of Allah Ta'ala, I am like a fish that is restless due to being on burning sand.

A fish that is half out of water is also uneasy and a fish that is fully out of water is more restless. Similarly, a person that is in Zikrullah, but not fully immersed in Zikr, then he is uneasy. Being in the remembrance of Allah Ta'ala halfway means that he is obeying part of the commands of Allah Ta'ala and disobeying some of the commands of Allah Ta'ala. Many say, we are performing Salaah, making Ibaadat, etc. but we have so much of worries. They should do some soul searching and find out where are they disobeying Allah Ta’ala. If a person says, “I don’t see any fault or problem”, this is the biggest problem.

The Ambiya  in spite of their lofty status would also engage in Taubah and Istighfaar. They also realised that their Ibaadat cannot match the greatness of Allah Ta'ala.      

فانی بتوں کے عشق میں ہوگا جو مبتلا                                                 تاعمر دوستوں وہ پریشان رہےگا

Whoever enjoys in the love of temporary idols, he will remain uneasy for the rest of his life, O friends!

These idols refer to Na-Mahram women even though they may be members of our family. A male should be observing Purdah from his female cousins, from his father’s brother’s wife, one’s mother’s brother’s wife, etc. A person that doesn’t observe this type of Purda will not attain any peace. Many people write to Hadrat that we can make Purda from strangers but we are unable to observe Purda from family women as they are so close to us. Hadrat would reply, “You won’t reach Allah Ta'ala, until you have the courage so announce amongst the family members, No Na-Mahram should come near me.” If we are not making Purda in the correct way, then we are making cockeyed Purdah. When it suites us, we make Purdah, and if it doesn’t suite us we don’t make Purdah. A person that is in contact with women all the time is in danger as well, a man that teaches girls even though it may be behind veils is also in danger. If butter is brought close to fire then the butter will certainly melt even though it is behind a veil. One magnet will certainly pull another magnet even though there is a veil in between. A man befriends another, why would he befriend that person. The trickery of the Nafs cannot be detected by us, a spiritual doctor is required to have his finger on the pulse. Many speak to women and then say, “We only discuss Deeni matters” but the Nafs is deriving full enjoyment, thus it is not permitted. Hadrat further explains that such a person will be restless throughout his life. In Urdu, such a person is termed as ‘Pareshaan.” This word comprises of the word “Pari” and “Shaan”,  “Pari” refers to a fairy, so by looking at these fairies, you will become Parishaan (restless/uneasy). Therefore, Shariat has instructed that we completely refrain from them, don’t look at them, physically try not to be near, and don’t even think of them in your mind and heart. If the thoughts do come, do not entertain them rather get rid of them. If a person gets involved in any of these three things then he will certainly get involved with a woman.           

دونوں جہاں میں پائے گا وہ چین کی حیات                               جو بندہ ترا تابع فرمان رہے گا

Only that person will find a peaceful life in both the worlds, the servant that obeys Your commands

The person that obeys Shariat and Sunnat will find peace in both the worlds. We find peace in our lives, but in reality this is just the effect of peace. A person that practices upon Shariat and found Allah Ta'ala in his heart, then only will he realise that what true enjoyment was. This will only come when everything besides Allah Ta'ala comes out of the heart and Allah Ta'ala enters the heart.     

فانی بتوں سے صرف نظر گر نہیں کیا               دریائے قلب میں ترے طوفان رہے گا

If you didn’t turn your gazes from the temporary idols, there will be storms in the sea of your heart.

ظالم اگر رہے تو مری انجمن سے دور                               اے حسن ترا عشق پہ احسان رہے گا

O my ignorant (friend), if you stay away from my gatherings, O beauty this will be a favour upon your love.

In weddings, family gatherings, etc. tell the women to stay away from you.  

سنتا ہوں میں عالم میں یہ اختر کی زباں سے                        عاصی کو قرب خاص سے حرمان رہے گا

I am hearing this throughout the world on the tongue of Akhtar, a disobedient one will deprived of the special closeness of Allah Ta'ala.

So to say, Allah’s heart will not be open to that person that is a sinner. If he commits a sin occasionally then it is different, but we don’t even regard some of our actions as sins. We don’t observe Purda as we ought to, and do not even regard it as sin so it is done all the time. The Quraan states that the person that has acquired Taqwa, when the temptation of doing evil from Shaytaan reaches him they remember and their eyes open instantly. In regards to Purda, a proper Shar’ee Purda is required. It shouldn’t be that we make Purda from a woman that is not so good looking, and we cast glances at a woman that is beautiful. This is not Purda. Obey all the commands of Shariat, this is Islaah.

Nowadays, many people carry out plenty of Nafl Ibaadat yet the Fardh is being neglected. Hadrat Thanvi r referred to such piety as ‘Kilaabi Taqwa (Taqwa of a dog).” When a dog urinates, it is so worried that the urine shouldn’t touch its body, so it lifts its leg. Immediately thereafter, the dog eats filth and dirt with its mouth. On one side, we worried we are engaging plenty of Nawafil, yet on the other side, we do not even think of the sins that we are engaging in.

A khalifa of Hadrat Hakim Saheb r from the U.S.A. had written to Hadrat, I speak of your teachings whenever I conduct my Majlis which deal with the importance of Taqwa, protecting the eyes, etc. The people tell me, don’t discuss these subjects as they are too high. He asked Hadrat as to what should be done in this regard. Hadrat replied, “Those that are involved are either ignorant of Deen or they are involved in this evil.

Hadrat went to a particular Madrasah and the principal request Hadrat not to talk about having contact with young boys. Later, it was discovered that the principal was involved with young boys. Hadrat then said, “This is the epidemic of the day.” If the doctor is busy discussing other subjects or sleeping when an epidemic has broken out, can there be a greater traitor to mankind than such a person. Hadrat says, “I am seeing this disease and how people are drowning in it, yet I shouldn’t discuss it.” This is the demand and need of the day and by protecting oneself of this sin one will find Allah Ta'ala in the heart. May Allah Ta'ala grant us the correct understanding.